State of mind

It's a rainy day here in NYC, but I'm choosing denial and focusing on the good weather to come

Images from here and here

Wardrobe: Spring (Finally!)

I am into comfort these days. We're not quite at shorts weather yet, but this going to be my weekend go to in a few weeks!

Sweater, shorts, shoes

Inspiration: Kitchen

If you're decorating a home Pinterest is about the best thing to ever happen. I am convinced that just seeing different pieces together on a board has already prevented me from making some pretty drastic design mistakes. 

I like to put things together, sit with is awhile and see how I feel. I decided early that the basic color/material scheme would be black, white and wood. Initially I wanted to do a black and white kitchen with black bottom cabinets and white on top, but it turns out that just won't work in my space so I went back to the drawing board (although I still love it and think it's beautiful in the right space!)

First Idea: Black & White

So I had to think about how I wanted it to feel... a little rustic, a little modern, but still comfortable, approachable and warm. I know those sound like crazy adjectives to describe a kitchen! Here is where I landed: Modern white cabinets with a cement-looking countertop (cement is crazy/stupid expensive so I'm on the hunt for a great alternative) and a vintage farm table for warmth. 

the perfect card

I have never been really good at spending hours in the drugstore picking out the perfect card. Nine times out of ten I just end up getting something with a pretty picture on the front and nothing on the inside. But then I came across Emily McDowell's site and now I get to be the person who gives that great, clever card that's full of the dry humor that you just can't find at hallmark.

How it will be

Well here it is... the plans! After over a month of back and forth this is what my new home is going to look like. I am crazy excited to get this process started and show you what I'm thinking this space is going to look like. I've lived in a lot of apartments over the years, but to get to create this space to fit how I live is really exciting.

Wardrobe: Nonprofit work day

One of the HUGE benefits of working in the nonprofit sector is the acceptance of jeans at work. I can't even tell you how much happier I am on a daily basis to be able to throw on jeans and a sweater. When it gets just a little bit warmer, this is going to be my go-to. Loving the slight sheen on the Sperry's.

sweater, jeans, sneakers

How it is

Soo... here it is. The wonders of real estate photography make this look in slightly (ok much) better shape that it's actually in, but if you can look past the overly shiny floors, the semi-gross bathroom, the bizarre half-walled studio space and the fact that there are no doors (actually no doors with knobs to closets, rooms, nothing), you can tell that it is a beautiful space. The light is amazing and the 10ft ceilings make the space feel airy and like home. I can't wait to show you the plans for what I want to do with the space and show you as it comes to life over the next several months!

Happy Weekend

So I heard a rumor that it's supposed to feel a little bit like spring again tomorrow. We keep getting glimpses here in NYC, but quickly followed by the bitter cold so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. That said, I keep finding myself drawn to all things to do with spring. Here are a few things that have caught my attention this week:

Stuff to help you get inspired to cook…. I kept hearing about Blue Apron from friends who insisted it was ‘the best thing ever.’ They have no option for single servings (so on principle, because I am only cooking for one, I told myself no way), but turns out most of the time the leftovers are pretty good and I can turn dinner into a lunch to-go the next day AND the best part is it’s getting me in the kitchen. It is literally the least intimidating form of cooking ever (says the girl who keeps shoes where her pots should go). 

Stuff that will make you smile.... You've seen it by now, but I can't help but post it again. The most brilliant ad campaign capturing awkward, touching, beautiful moments that happen in a first kiss. This bad boy even made it's way to a NY Times article. Criticize all you want, but there is definitely genius in it. 

Stuff that will give you ideas.... I love Emily Henderson. I'm pretty convinced if we ever met that we would totally hit it off and then I would ask to decorate my new apartment because on top of having just right amount of smart aleck humor, she has impeccable taste. I want to hate her, but I just can't. 

Stuff I wish I could wear now.... This shirt will definitely make its way into my spring/summer wardrobe

image from here

My new home

My whole life just changed. Really. Since 2014 started I have quit my very cushy (and well paid) corporate job in favor of the nonprofit sector, bought an apartment in Brooklyn and just to complete the cleansing process ended a very long, very complicated relationship with a man who should never have been a part of my life to begin with. New job, new home, new borough, new lease on life. I think I’m good. I think I've pretty much maxed out in the changing it up space for a little while.  Ok maybe not J

Truth is I like change, but for the two years that I have been hunting for an apartment, every time I have gotten close to closing a deal I freak out. The thought of committing to one place scared me until I found this one. And this one just feels like home. BUT it’s a mess. Not an actual mess. I mean I could move into it as is and be perfectly fine, but I want it to feel like my home and so I have decided to embark on a fairly major renovation (YIKES!). Luckily I have a mother who is all about the reno and even better she’s retired and has good taste (shhh don’t tell her I said so) so I've enlisted her help to oversee it. 

I think it’s going to be an incredible transformation and I’m beginning to really enjoy the process… except for the numbers. I don’t like the pieces of papers with the numbers! Nevertheless I thought I would take you on this journey with me; From the before pictures, to the architects plans, to the demo, to the rebuild and all of the anxiety in between.

So let’s start at the beginning. Here is what I’m working with. The outline anyway. You’ll get a better idea of what that odd studio space is when I post the pictures, but just keep in mind this is in a beautiful office building that was built in the 1920s and converted to apartments in the 1980s. That’s right the decade of all things great about design (I’m joking, obviously). I won’t ruin the surprises, but there are a few gems in this apartment.

Rumination on fearlessness

I think being fearless is overrated. I see it all over - in quotes, on jewelry - and I can't figure it out. I mean who really wants to be fearless? I think fear is an extraordinary thing. It can push you farther than you ever thought possible or it can freeze you in your tracks - but it can only do that if you let it. I love feeling fear - that knot in my stomach I get before I do something that scares me whether it's jumping out of a plane, going on a trip to the unknown, starting a new job.... all scary things. But feeling that fear and doing it anyway is one of the most precious gifts we can give ourselves. Those are the moments you surprise yourself and I think any time you do that, you grow.